The following is a small guide to the world of the Pirate Vixens.

About 60% of the world is covered in water. The other 40% is composed of a variety of islands and small continents that dot the surface of the planet. Currently, there are four major islands that create the known world. These lands are called the Four Great Isles and they are listed as follows: The Landon Empire, the Benkari Empire, the Piero Republic and the Arash Sultanate.

The Landon Empire:
The Landon (lan-dun) Empire is considered to be the largest of the Four Great Isles and the most powerful. The empire is composed of a variety of terrains; mainly prairies, mountains, swamps, grasslands, hills and forests. The peoples that live within the empire are also quite diverse. Various foxes and wolves create more than half of the empire's population; however, various other species are also a part of the populace. Such species include mice, bears, badgers, raccoons, domestic dogs and cats, etc. Technologically speaking, the Landonians are fairly advanced. The empire exists in an era similar to Colonial Europe like the rest of the world but they are on the verge of an industrial revolution. The Landonians have developed six-shot firearms and are currently working on mass production for a variety of goods. Unfortunately, they have yet to reach the technological level of the Piero. The empire is ruled by Empress Elisa Victoria XI, the youngest woman to ever control the empire. She came into power at the age of twelve and has ruled for three years now.

The Benkari Empire:
The Benkari (ben-car-ee) Empire is approximately half the size of the Landon Empire; however, the Benkarians are just as numerous as the Landonians. The lands that make-up the empire are mostly grasslands, hills and mountains with a few forests and jungles speckling the terrain. The empire's entire population is based on assorted species of wild cat (like lion, tiger, lynx and cheetah). The Benkarians regard themselves as a warrior people and a very proud one at that. They despise firearms since they see it as a weapon for "the weak and cowardly". The Benkarians are considered the least advanced of the Great Isles, however it should be stated that they're just as advanced as the Landonians in the fields of navigation, astronomy, mathematics, metallurgy and ship building. Despite their use of primitive weapons (axes, swords, bows and arrows, etc.), the Benkarians are still quite feared on the battlefield. Their warriors have been known to have incredible thresholds for pain and their horrifying ferocity is very well known amongst the other Great Isles. The Benkari Empire is ruled by Deshra Koryu, the God Emperor. His coming to power was determined through a sacred ceremony in which all Benkari emperors (and empresses) are chosen from.

The Piero Republic:
The Piero (pee-eh-roh) Republic is the smallest of the four isles and is also the least populated. The landscape is for the most part forests and mountains, with very few grasslands and prairies. The population itself is predominately of the rodent variety (rats, rabbits, squirrels, etc.). Despite being the smallest of the Four Great Isles, they are currently the most technologically advanced. While the Landonians and other nations are in the Colonial era, the Piero are in the middle of the Industrial era. Mass production is very common within the Republic and the sheer precision of their machinery is quite amazing. The Piero have developed a variety of new technologies and discoveries, including steam-powered ships, electrical power generation, and internal combustion engines. The Piero refuse to share such technology with the other Great Isles, however, for fear of losing their technological edge. The Piero Republic is under the rule of Prime Minister Raphael Vinci, a man who is currently serving his third term (he's been in power for nine years now).

The Arash Sultanate:
The Arash (ah-raw-sh) Sultanate is an island almost the size of the Landonian Empire. Their population, however, is only slightly more than that of the Piero Republic. The territory is mostly desert with mountains, jungles, and grasslands along the coastline. Various desert species make-up the Sultanate, the most common are jackals, fennec foxes, and other desert canines. Ferrets and weasels can also be found within this territory. The Arashi are not as technologically advanced as the Landonians but they are very close. Arash is ruled by Sultan Abdul Jazhir; however, he has no real power. The sultan is merely a figurehead. In truth, the island of Arash is ruled by a group of leaders called the Council of Five.

Along with the Four Great Isles, there are two other regions of interest.

The White Wastes:
The White Wastes are a large sheet of ice, snow, and rock that exists in the far north of the planet. Landonian outposts reside along the coasts but the inner regions are mostly uninhabited. Explorers have traveled within the region and catalogued a variety of creatures that have adapted to life in the extremely cold environment. There have also been stories of explorers coming across vast forests within the center of the icy continent as well as tales of nomadic giants that roam the land. However, such stories are usually ignored since those that talk about such things are believed to be insane.

The Continent:
Perhaps the largest landmass in the world, the Continent is for the most part unexplored. Bits and pieces of information tell of vast jungles that exist within the territory as well as ancient ruins that speak of an all-powerful being known only as "The Artist". However, no in-depth research has ever been done on the Continent since most people that enter the area, completely disappear.

The following is more general information related to the rest of the world.

The entire world is covered with a plethora of small islands (most of which are too small to properly show on this map). Most of the islands act as independent city-states that are completely separate from the Four Great Isles. However, a few of these islands act as colonies for the Great Isles (colonies are given the same color as its host nation). The smaller islands are populated by a multitude of cultures and species depending upon the region. Most islands on the planet are populated by mammals and that's especially true for the more "civilized" territories. Reptiles do exist in the world, but they mostly live as savages in and around the jungles of various islands. Some reptilian tribes are peaceful, but most are extremely violent towards outsiders. Magic also exists but it's very rare. Most people don't believe in magic and those that do tend to be leery of those that are suspected of using it. The various small islands and the Four Great Isles themselves are constantly trading with each other for a variety of goods. Because of this, piracy is rather common.

artwork copyright SatsumaLord